What is Pizza Bianca? [Easy White Pizza Recipe]

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Are you looking for a new way to make your pizza without a tomato-based sauce? If so, here’s a recipe for pizza bianca that you’ll love! There are many ways to prepare a white pizza and I make sure to give you lots of tips and ideas to help you out.

Plus, this recipe is not only easy and bursting with Italian flavors, but you can also save time by using store-bought pizza crusts like we often do! I tell you all about it below.

What is Bianca Pizza?

A bianca pizza is also known as a white pizza. Bianca literally means white in Italian. It’s simply a pizza that doesn’t use a red tomato sauce. The white can refer to a white sauce such as an alfredo sauce, or it can refer to the color of the cheeses.

Either way, it’s a bianca pizza because it has no red pizza sauce.

Bianca Pizza Summary

My pizza bianca recipe uses a combination of four Italian white cheeses (you can also just use what you have on hand), garlic infused olive oil, dried herbs and some creative toppings.

There are lots of variations to this recipe, so use what you have. Use my recipe as a starting place and follow it exactly or get creative and make it your own!

Step by Step Instructions

The full pizza recipe with specific measurements is in the recipe card at the end of this post. However, here are the steps you’ll want to follow for making this particular bianca pizza.

1- First, take your pizza and place it on a pizza pan. If using your own dough, pour ½ a tablespoon of olive oil on the pan and rub it around. Then stretch out the dough so it covers the whole pan.

2-Mince the garlic using a garlic press and mix with the olive oil in a small bowl. The olive oil will take on the flavor of the fresh garlic.

3-Spread the olive oil and garlic all over the pizza dough.

4- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta and the Romano cheese along with the oregano and parsley. Mix it until they are well incorporated. You can do this using a spoon or spatula.

5- Spread the cheese and herb mixture over the entire pizza, leaving about an inch or so for the crust.

6- Take the provolone cheese and sprinkle it over the pizza.

7- Do the same with the mozzarella balls. Mine were a bit bigger than I wanted so I cut them in half. You don’t have to do this. Place them strategically around the pizza. I like to think of the pizza like a clock – where each hour or two is a slice.

Then you just fill it with the rest.  If using shredded mozzarella then simply sprinkle it evenly over the top of the pizza.

8- Bake the pizza in the oven according to the package instructions. For mine, it was 400F for 13-15 minutes.

PRO TIP: If using homemade dough, you may need to adjust the temperature and time based on how thick the pizza is. If it’s a thick dough, then lower the temperature to 350F and cook for at least 20 minutes – but don’t add the mozzarella until about 8 minutes before removing it from the oven. Otherwise it may burn.

9- About 3 minutes before taking the pizza out, add the spinach, arugula, and roasted red pepper toppings. See my section on toppings below.

PRO TIP: A general rule of thumb is that any fresh greens (such as spinach and arugula) should be added right before removing from the oven. They can easily overcook. You can also top the pizza immediately after taking out of the oven. The heat will allow them to wilt just enough.

About the Pizza Toppings

Do you have to use toppings on a white pizza? The answer is no, you don’t. My recipe uses toppings, but you can keep yours with just the cheese.

In my recipe, I divided the pizza into 4 sections, one for each topping, leaving one section blank. This gives everyone at the table something a little different to try. You can choose to do the entire pizza with just one of these toppings or none at all.

Here are some additional toppings you can use.

• Olives
• Sliced tomatoes
• Red onion
• White onion
• Red pepper flakes
• Artichoke hearts
• Mushrooms
• Frozen spinach (drained first)
• Shredded chicken
• Precooked sausage bits

Personally, I like my pizzas simple, but the sky is the limit!

About the Pizza Dough

I’ve made pizzas with my own easy homemade Italian pizza dough recipe, and I’ve made them with premade crusts from the store.

I find that premade crusts are more dense so they don’t get soggy from all the cheeses. I actually prefer store bought dough or crusts for this type of pizza.

If you prefer to buy fresh pizza dough, then check out the freezer section at your grocery store and look where they keep the frozen breads and pie crusts. You’ll find them there if they have any.

What about a White Sauce

I think that you can certainly use a white sauce like an alfredo. I’d buy a jar instead of making my own personally. Be careful for the flavor though – it may conflict with those already in this recipe. So although I don’t recommend it, I always encourage people to experiment and try new things.

Let me know in the comments below if you do!

Types of Cheeses for a White Pizza

Okay, so what types of cheeses are best for a pizza bianca? Easy answer: white ones.

You can use a mix of cheeses or just one. I do recommend to use at least some ricotta. It’s very easy to spread on the pizza and makes a great base. Whether you use it alone or mix it with herbs and other cheeses is up to you.

How to Store the Pizza

This pizza makes great leftovers if you happen to actually have any left. Just store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can also use plastic ziploc bags as well. You can also freeze them for up to a month. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven.

What Else to Serve with this Recipe

Whether you’re making this pizza for lunch or pizza night, here are some ideas for quick Italian side dishes.

Other Pizza Recipes

If you like pizza, try these recipes too!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe and better understand what a pizza bianca is and how to make it. If you have your own version of a pizza recipe, let me know below!